‘Doctor Strange’ Trailer: Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme Has Arrived

As promised last week, the first trailer for Doctor Strange has arrived to tease a more mystical, psychedelic corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Following its debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the trailer is now online and offers our first real look at Benedict Cumberbatch’s titular Sorcerer Supreme in action — along with the debut of Tilda Swinton’s Ancient One.

Marvel kept assuring us that Doctor Strange would be, well, strange and they were certainly correct. Captain America: Civil War is going to shake up the MCU, but maybe we shouldn’t underestimate the Sorcerer Supreme’s solo outing: As you can see in the trailer, Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange wakes up from a horrific car accident to discover that his reality — and our world — is but one of many.

The trailer also offers our first look at Tilda Swinton’s Ancient One (looking very Last Airbender), who trains Strange in the mystical arts alongside fellow student Baron Mordo, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. We don’t spend much time with Mordo, but a good chunk of the trailer is devoted to Swinton, who reveals that there are numerous other dimensions (and we catch brief glimpses of a few of these alternate worlds).

Also briefly glimpsed is Rachel McAdams, heavily rumored to be playing Night Nurse — or some variation on the character. She’s definitely wearing hospital scrubs, so make of that what you will.

And here we have Mads Mikkelsen’s mysterious villain, speculated to be either Nightmare or Dormammu. The second shot in particular is evocative of Italian-inspired episodes of Hannibal Season 3, directed by Vincenzo Natali:

And then things take a turn toward... Inception:

More like this, please. It’s certainly unlike anything Marvel has done before, and — as Kevin Feige previously said — Ant-Man was just a small appetizer for the extra-dimensional insanity to come.

I’ll leave you with this nice parting shot:

“Doctor Strange” follows the story of neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions.

“Doctor Strange” is the latest film in Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Phase 3’s goal—over the course of four years and nine films—is to introduce audiences to new heroes and continue the adventures of fan favorites.

Directed by Scott Derrickson, Doctor Strange also stars Amy Landecker and Scott Adkins, and hits theaters on November 4.